The 5 Best Breweries in Hampton Roads

By Kristopher Derek Mathur Brower, I am a beer lover who has visited all of the Breweries in Hampton Roads

Published: October 30, 2013

In the last 5 years there have been a number of new breweries that have opened in the Hampton Roads area. Here are my favorites.

Smartmouth Brewery

Smarmouth has been open for just under a year, but has already worked its way to the top of the list. Try their flagship Saison or one of their seasonal beers which rotate frequently. Their beers came in at average of 3.57 on beer advocate and they have an excellent tap room in west ghent.

Williamsburg Alewerks

Williamsberg Alewerks has an excellent $5 tour where you get to try everything on tap as well as take home a pint glass. My favorites are there pumpkin beer and their coffee beer. Beer advocate users rate their beers at 3.83 on average.

Weeping Radish Brewery

Weeping Radish is the only brewery on the list that also serves food. They technically are not in Hampton Roads, but it is a short drive away. Both their food and beer are German inspired, and many of the ingredients are grown on the on premise farm. They have an average rating of 3.22 on BeerAdvocate and their food is excellent. Get a sausage sampler and a beer sampler next time you are in North Carolina.

Beach Brewing Company

Beach Brewing Company is located in business complex in Virginia Beach and is right down the road from Young Veterans brewery. Definitely worth the trip to go and try all there beers in their very small tasting room.

O'Connor Brewing Company

O'Connor Brewing Company was one of the first in the recent pattern of brewery openings. They have a tasting room just north of 21st street in ghent where you can try the beers right next to the fermentation vessels. Definitely try their black IPA.

In the last few years the number of breweries in Hampton Roads has more than doubled alongside the opening of great bars like the birch and the porch at whole foods. This list is sure to expand as their are some brand new breweries I have yet to try.